Formation always takes more energy. It happened in case of the Marang buru SHG of Jambu pabal sahi. It composed of women who neither had any intention for any group formation nor any desire to sit unitedly. They also admit it in their own way. A worker of NYSASDRI Mr Gobardhan Kabi contacted the community members of Pabalsahi. Initially they hesitated to form any group. But after consistent persuasion they convinced to be member of a group.

They sit together for literacy classes. This process brought confidence within them. Gradually they know about different aspects of SHG and 2 such groups took shape. Initially they meet twice a month. Bank accounts opened in a nearby State Bank of India branch at Joranda. The bank offered a loan of Rs.25,000 our deposit. A member Ms Phula Hembarm says that she buys a she sheep by paying Rs 2100. This sheep produced three lambs. She sold grown up lambs and got Rs 5100. She calculated that her profit is Rs 3000 in initial year. Other members of the group said that they are well versed about different govt. schemes through this project.

They came to about the role of Palli sabha and Gram Sabha. They have a savings of Rs.10,000 in their bank account. All women members are earning regularly through income generating activities. All members are feeling empowered and participating in the electoral process. The pabalsahi people thanks to German Agro Action(GAA) and NYSASDRI for this change.

2. Innocent Dreams Come True

Radha Gadika is a Kondh tribal girl from Jugapada village of Bissam-Cuttack block in Rayagada district. Her father died three years back, leaving her mother, brother and two sisters. The family depends upon the drudgery of wage work as they have hardly any assets to maintain life and livelihood. Her mother Lachhma Saraka is the only breadwinner in their family. Her brother, sister and herself were regularly engaged in helping their mother to enhance their family economy. In India, poverty and economic deprivation are the majour threat on the way of educating Radha. Instead of sending her to school, Lachhma was preferring to deploy her in collection of minor forest produces and fuel woods or force them in the drudgery of wage work.

3. Against All Odds

Mr Chitta Mishra & Ms Mandakini Mishra of Jiridamali, Dhenkanal has two daughters. One of the daughter Tapaswini was a burden for them. Poverty stricken Mishra familiy was in trouble dur to her vision impairment. But Tapaswini has a dream to be a teacher in her future. Her sole purpose was to overcome her family condition. She took admission at Jiridamali Primary School. She has shown her talent in the education as well as in the sports. But she found her poor eye sight, which was really an obstacle in her success. Tapaswini was struggling a lot and could not see the letters on the blackboard. She did not discontinue her studies. The school teachers helped her. After a number efforts under trial & error, she found the team of Kalinga Eye Hospital in their village on 22nd September 2010. Dr Garnayak has done diagnosis of her eyes and referred to the base hospital for cataract eye surgery. Dr. S K Jagadala has conducted the surgery. She got a vision of 6/36 from CF-2mtr on her first follow up. Then her another eye need surgery.

4. Bringing Smiles Back

Somanath is illiterate and poor old man of 80 years, lives in a dilapidated damaged thatched house with an unhygienic environment in the Saliasahi slum- the largest slum in Bhubaneswar. Noticeable cataract in his eyes has made him a virtual blind. The Eviction Drive by the State Government is one more setback to his life. His wife Sashi is the only breadwinner of the family of two. However, the past of Somanath was much better than his present declined condition. Originally he belongs to Gandhinagar, Ganjam. His first wife who had no children, passed away 30 years back. But latter he managed to have a contented life with his wife, one son and four daughters. He was engaged in agricultural activities in his six acres of land. ‘The earning was sufficient to feed two adult and five children’ reminisces Somanath. Unfortunately, his happy family shattered by sudden death of his only son died of fever, when he was in class 8. Poverty started its invasion to the family. Marrying four daughters, in the age of dowry, was a strenuous job for Somanath. He spent all his assets for the purpose. His rice bowl, six acres of agricultural land, along with his residential land was also sold. Life became a challenge for him. He was compelled to opt for the drudgery of daily labour.

In view of dearth of labour works and excess of workforce, getting a wage work daily was not possible for the family. They have the experience of spending days together without any food. On the other hand, he came to know that in Bhubaneswar plenty of labour work is available. This prompted Somanath and his wife to go to Bhubaneswar, 20 years back. With support from their relations got a space in the Saliasahi slum. Again started a new beginning in their life. Somanath was going to daily work and the family was on the threshold of normalcy. This time, their hopes again wrecked by visual problems of Somanath. Due to cataract problems he gradually lost his vision and was barred from daily work. Now survival of the family in the costly city was a big question for the couple. His daughters and son-in-laws helped them for some time. But as they were earning hand to mouth, they could not support any more.

Poverty and hunger again took over the couple. Sashi, his wife, engaged herself in the wage work, getting work regularly was not possible for her. Health of Somanath deteriorated due to nervousness and anxiety. At this juncture, NYSASDRI extended hands of support under "Adopt A Granny Programme", supported by The HelpAge International, London from April 1997. Regular assistances like food commodities, clothes, medicines, laundry items and pocket money are provided under this programme. Regular Health check-up camps are also organised. In these camps Somanath like other beneficiaries avails medical services and medicine free of cost.The support has proved to be water in the desert. Now he is relatively happy with the support. The assistance not only feeds Somanath but also provides means of survival for his wife. Now they have some food in their thatched house. Similarly, like Somanath, there are 119 needy and poverty stricken abandoned elders, deserted by their family or destiny, are being supported by NYSASDRI- with assistance form HelpAge International. They have accepted the staffs and officials NYSASDRI as their own child.

5. Group Effort Make Easy

Brahmini Devi WSHG of Phuljhar is running since last 7 years. Total members of this WSHG are 10. The Public Distribution System there was irregular and not accessible for all the people. The SHG took responsibility of distribution of Kerosene, Sugar, and Rice etc. All the management has been done by the SHG and now the people can avail all the facilities from the Government. NYSASDRI has given them training on record keeping and group management. It help them a lot in managing their group and maintaining their records.

6. A Heartless Winner

Susama Pradhan of Bajuria village of Dhenkanal District had fall in love with a guy Chandan Pradhan of her village. The family members of Susama were ignorant about this affair. After 2 month of their affairs Susama came to know that she was pregnant. She told it to Chandan and request to marry her, but Chandan denied. So Susama lodged a FIR at the nearest police station. Then Chandan was sent to jail for 2 months. When he released from the jail he accused that she has illegal relationship with her own father. After few days Susama delivered a girl child. But Chandan and villagers did not allow her to live in the village. At the mean time Susama came to know about the short stay Home of NYSASDRI.

In the month of September 2005 she came to the Short Stay Home for shelter and started leading a better life there. The superintendent of the Short Stay Home thought to rehabilitate her permanently. So she arranged marriage for Susama. After several counseling sessions, her family members agreed to support her. Her so called lover Chandan also agreed to attend the function and contributed 5000 rupees for Susama's marriage. In September 2007, Susama got married with Mr Bhatrat Natia. Then Mrs Susama is living happily with her husband at her in-laws house.